DRUNK REVIEW: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

What I drank prior: So far a bottle of white wine, Red Bull vodka, and now we’re doing vodka sodas.

Spoiler-free Overview: We follow Elizabeth, an orphan who was left in the care of the rich Frankenstein family, specifically as the companion to Victor, the eldest son. The story follows E’s journey to find V at uni and more-or-less face his and her demons—literally and figuratively—with flashbacks to how she got here.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: I really really enjoyed this book… BUT had my relatively minor ishs woth it. First, definitely shorter than it could have been. I wanted another 100+ pages, going into point #2. Second, I took this title literally and thought we were going to get a dark, complicated character, just knowing the general story overview. Not exactly. I do really appreciate retelling a that give women more agency so #winning.

Characters: I did love Elizabeth, despite the facts that we didn’t delve that hard into the dark aspect. Justine on the other hand, Elizabeth’s major initial motivation, fell flat to me as a character but that could just be me. Other than that Love the various characters relationships—like the trio with Mary and Adam, and the deeply complicated and distressing relationship with Victor and Harry.

Plot: It started out so. good. E was manipulative and unapologetic—looking out for her own interests. She knew Victor’s actions were questionable, but she turned her head and kept going on her mission to stay safe. We NEED more female characters like this! That’s why I was so surprised when she did a 180 as soon as the going got relatively tough. What happened to my promised complicated dark heroine?

It’s fine I’ve moved on.

Spoilers!!! Skip if you’re going to read (or don’t, still not your mom)

I did NOT see the Harry twist coming! Looking back I guess duh but I was still waiting to see what happened to him. Super fucked up. Not quite Henry, but still usprised. Such an abusive relationship.

Also, can we talk about that time that Elizabeth and Mary attacked Victor in his home with absolutely no plan and no working guns? Uh, what?